Dwight Williams

dwight williams
The world as we knew it changed much on Sunday, November 8, 2015 when Dwight L. Williams, 66, left us. Dwight was an amazing man, who touched so many lives as an extremely talented teacher, artist, problem-solver and friend. He faced his life with a sense of wonder. Always willing to try something new and to experience everything life had to offer, he also faced his impending death with the same attitude. He saw it as a new adventure for life after life—a mystery to ponder. And so we reluctantly send him on without us, knowing that whatever he is experiencing right now likely has him marveling at everything he sees. We who mourn him include his wife of 27 years, Vicki Smith-Williams, Fargo; his mother, Zola Williams of Jamestown; his beloved daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter (Elise, Jeff, and Avery Nicpon) of Eden Prairie; and his brother, Steve (Anna) of Santa Fe, NM; along with a countless number of wonderful friends, former students, and those who worked alongside him. Dwight gave freely of his time and talents to many great causes and non-profit organizations including the Plains Art Museum, Rourke Gallery, Bras on Broadway, FM Visual Artists and the Red River Children’s Advocacy Center. He enthusiastically supported fellow artists in their work and many sought his opinion for resolving specific artistic puzzles. His professional path was varied and full, but most rewarding for him was the work he accomplished in recent years along with his friend and fellow artist, Hans Gilsdorf in their work with the Meritcare Children’s Hospital, NICU, and Med Center One in Bismarck. The time the spent teaching Three Dimensional Design and Sculpture at Concordia in Moorhead simply thrilled him—teaching was at the core of who Dwight was. He was preceded in death by his father, Tim Williams; and his grandparents. There will be a memorial service at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo with a visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the donor’s favorite art museum. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.

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  1. One of my best classmates from the first grade through graduation; my best roommate in college; and always a best friend forever and beyond. You’ll be missed in this life Brother, but I feel I’ll see you agan. Many condolences, sympathies and prayers to Vicki, Zola, Steve, Elise and the rest of the family. May God Bless!

  2. Vicki, I’m so very sorry for your loss. May God hold you and protect you in your hour of need. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Lisa Musco

  3. Vicki, Zola, Elise, Steve and family,

    May God bless you as you mourn the passing of your beloved husband, son, father and brother. I am so sorry for your loss. Dwight was a very kind and talented man, and although I did not know him well, it was always a pleasure to be in his company. You are all in my heart and prayers at this sad time.

    Bonnie Reardon Dammel

  4. We only met a handful of times but Dwight struck me as a special guy indeed. And because he was half of the collaboration that brought me my best friend Elise, I will forever be indebted. Our hearts ache with you.

    Dawn

  5. We each have unique talents so great things can happen when we use our talents to make a better society. I was honored to serve along side Dwight on the FMVA board and walk a path with him for a while. He had such a wonderful smile and a willing heart. You never knew what he and Joel were going to come up with next. They were so fun and add Bob K and Jon O to the mix. How privileged I have been. Thank You Dwight. I am sure there are stars in your crown. Love Mary

  6. Dwight is one of those rare and talented persons that didn’t have a mean bone in his body. And surly, God knows even more than we do, how Dwight’s life was a gift for those lucky enough to have known him.

  7. My best memory of Dwight is our matching 1960 black Chevrolet and he could always beat me in a drag race! But I could unlock his car with my keys.

  8. Vicki you are in my thoughts and prayers thatis a beautiful obituary you wrote. Dwight was too young to leave this world. How wonderful his mother and daughter are close by. You have had so much to cope with. Loosing Joan was terrible also. Please accept our condolences. Virg and Bobby Anderson

  9. He was such a happy person and always willing to help with whatever you were working on in the classroom. I remember him as being a goofy guy, but loving every second of life. He was rarely seen without a smile on his face. He was one of my favorite professors at Concordia and I know he will be missed by many. I send my condolences to his family and friends and the rest of his former students. He will be missed.

  10. Dwight was one of the kindest men I’ve known!! He and Vicki had a beautiful marriage! He will be sorely missed!

  11. What a beautifully written tribute honoring the life of Dwight! May he now rest in peace and free from aches. My sincere condolences to you all during this difficult time. RIP friend

  12. Rest in peace, Dwight! Your work on Earth is done. But, your presence will remain for all time exhibited in your awesome creations and works of art. Vicki, please know that my thoughts and prayers go with you during this time of grief. I wish I could be with you to aid in your comfort. I will never forget your and Dwight’s coming to my aid, when I was in one of the darkest periods of my life. I remain grateful for your friendship.

  13. We are so sorry for your loss.
    I so often notice and appreciate all the fine work Dwight did on our lake home. He was such a talentsd artist and craftsman. I especially treasure the bedside tables he made for me when I asked him to design something “funky”. He turned funky into fabulous!
    Sincerely, Judy and Doug Christoffersen

  14. Goodbye, Dwight. You were a sweet, smiley guy and you will be missed. My sympathies to your wife, Elise, Jeff and little Avery.

  15. Vicki,
    So sorry about Dwight. Fond memories of the Viking-49er game we saw in 1990.
    My deepest sympathy,
    David Strauss

  16. I worked with Dwight for two years at the Plains Art Museum (1985-1987), and will not forget
    his warmth and encouragement as I navigated my first “real job.” He seemed to admire equally every artist
    whose work we showed. I never saw him after I left the FM area, but his appreciation and respect
    for artists, their processes and creations, left an indelible impression on me. In a world full
    of cynics, he exuded genuineness. My heart goes out to Vicky and all his family and friends.
    Laura E. Lyons, Honolulu, HI

  17. Although it has been years since I’ve been able to hang out with Vicki and Dwight – it was always such a great time! He was a very special gentleman. Vicki – my thoughts are with you and your family.

  18. Dwight filled in for my husband, Duane, at Concordia as my husband was fighting his own battle with cancer. Dwight was a warm, talented, creative and energetic artist. He loved a challenge and pursued bringing out the creative talents of others. He did a wonderful job of inspiring Concordia’s new, young artists. He will be missed. May his family be comforted by the love and promises of God this day and always.

  19. To Dwight’s family – So very sorry to hear of his passing. I had him as an art teacher at Breckenridge High School. He was absolutely wonderful as a teacher – very encouraging and always complimentary. I loved his art class and learned much from his teaching. A very talented man! May he rest in peace in Heaven!

  20. A truly inspiring teacher who taught with passion and gave confidence to his students. I would credit Mr. Williams as one of two teachers who really made a difference in my life. My condolences to his family and friends. BHS ’77

  21. One of my all time favorite people — I loved your sense of curiosity, that you relished “Science Friday”, that you continued to learn and learn and learn, that you made beautiful gardens and, with your wonderful wife, shared Christmas Eves with we who had nowhere else we’d rather be than in your home. But most of all, I loved how much you enjoyed dancing. Such energy and joy — your ringing laughter. And the obituary above is so true — I bet your jaw is hanging as you see the world from your totally new perspective. I will truly miss you, my friend. I expect you to be one of my greeters when I get to where you are now. But you might have other things to do, and that’s okay. Goodbye for now…

  22. Dear cousin Dwight,
    Thanx so much for the great hand me downs growing up from you and Steve as my brother’s clothing had been worn and handed down too much by them to have much left for me. It was always a joy to be in your company and to be your cousin. And Zola, Steve, Vickey, Elise and family, my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of loss.
    Much luv to you all,
    Timothy Kokott
    Xoxoxox2015c…

  23. He had a steam-powered toy train affixed, on a good block of wood sitting in the kitchen. Looked odd enough, doin nothin. I was 10 – no idea what the albatross did. Dwight was exuberant.

    My sister and I pulled somewhat unwillingly, but nothing broke Dwight’s delight. Ever. This was a power breathless, straight from the stars.

    We stared like 10 and 8 year olds do. Nothin goin. Starin. Nothin.

    Give it a moment, laughter.

    And then that Scream.

    Unheralded, but beckoned back in time – Scream. Å whistle from the barrels of your navel.

    And that smile, Dwight. God, that smile that broke through everything.

    I’ll miss you, man. Love to you on the other side.

  24. So, so, sorry to hear the passing of my cousin, Dwight. It has been many years since I saw him last, but have thought of him often. When I saw his picture, I thought he looks so much like my brother, Gene, his cousin, who past away, this month also. You both have the same smile. [ must be a Reardon thing] I no you have a lot of family to welcome you into Heaven. May you R.I.P.

  25. Mr. Williams was my favorite teacher in high school in Breckenridge. He taught me to look at the lines, shading, and color of each object. I appreciated the art history requirement before taking any other art class. He truely made a positive impact in my life. So appreciate is contribution to art in the red river valley. My sympathy to his family and friends.
    Cindy H

  26. I just learned recently of Dwight’s passing. The last time I saw him was in 2006 when he brought his mother (who is my cousin) to my mother’s memorial service. My sympathies to the entire family.

    Mary Martin, St. Paul, MN

  27. Just learned of Dwight’s passing. I am so sorry for your profound loss. I got to visit with Dwight when I was in Fargo in 2011. Very impressed with his workshop and his artistic abilities. I am a cousin to Zola Williams. Blessings on the family and his close friends and students…Peace.


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